Projectile type toy for projecting electrostatically charged projectiles

ABSTRACT

The specification shows a projectile type toy in which a lightweight, preferably foamed, resilient projectile is moved through a barrel and projected out the open end thereof, with the barrel and projectile being formed of materials such that a charge of static electricity is imparted to the projectile as it moves along the barrel. The projectile upon leaving the barrel will, therefore, cling to dry surfaces, such as clothing and drapery materials and the like, whereby the device can be employed solely for amusement or in connection with a game but is, nevertheless, harmless.

United States Patent 1 1 Repinski 1 Oct. 23, 1973 [54] PROJECTILE TYPETOY FOR PROJECTING 2,921,573 1/1960 Horowitz et a] 273/106 E X LECTRCHARGED 1,538,640 5/1925 Krusi 273/1065 A PROJECTILES FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS [76] Inventor: Robert Repinski, R.D. N0. 2 (Box 589,6296/1947 Great Britain; 273/1065 R 235 F), Blairsville, Pa. PrimaryExaminerRichard C. Pinkham [22] Filed June 1971 Assistant Examiner-R. T.Stouffer [21] Appl. No.: 152,752 Att0rneyMelvin A. Crosby [52] U.S. Cl.124/13 R, 124/30 R, 273/106 R, [57] FT 273/106 E, 273/D|G 2 Thespecrficatlon shows a pro ect1le type toy 1n whlch 51 rm. Cl. F4111 1/00a lightweight, Preferably med, P i is [58] Field of Search 124/13 R, 13A, 30 R- moved hmugh barrel and Projected the 273/106 R 106 E, 1065 R1065 A 1065' end thereof, with the barrel and projectile being B b 2formed of materials such that a charge of static electricity is impartedto the projectile as it moves along [56] References Cited the barrel.The projectile upon leaving the barrel will, UNITED STATES PATENTStherefore, cling to dry surfaces, such as clothing and drapery materialsand the like, whereby the device can 5,115,197 2/l9l6 Harmon, Jr. 124/13R be employed solely for amusement or in connection gg fiz r 235; with agame but is, nevertheless, harmless.

2,483,752 10/1949 Buhl 124/30 R UX 2 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 4 L l a IL10 I 1 PAIENIEB lit! 23 I973 luvturon. ROBERT J. REPINSKI 65 W W;

PROJECTILE TYPE TOY FOR PROJECTINGv ELECTROSTATICALLY CHARGEDPROJECTILES The present invention relates to a projectile type toy, andis particularly concerned with a toy of this nature which is harmless inuse but which canbe employed in a variety of ways for amusement or inthe playing of games.

Toys guns and the like are known butin agreat many cases projectiles areemployed which are hard and nonyielding. Such projectiles can causedamage or injury. Further, projectile type toys, such astoy guns and thelike, are quite often relatively complicated and expensive and aresubject to getting out of order and breakmg.

With the foregoing in mind, a primary objective of the present inventionis the provision of a projectile type toy which is quite inexpensive andeasy to manufacture and which is not readily subject to getting out oforder or breaking.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of aprojectiletypetoy which is completely safe to use.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of aprojectile typetoy in which the projectile is adapted to cling tofabrics, and the like, but which does not employ suction cups and otherinstrumentalities of this nature for effecting the clinging.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a projectiletype toy of the nature referred to in which projectiles can be fedrepetitively into the toy so that it can operate in a substantiallysemi-automatic manner.

The foregoing objects as well as still other objects and advantages ofthe present invention will become more apparent upon reference to thefollowing detailed specification taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a projectile type toy according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a typical projectile;

FIG. 3 shows a modified arrangement for the barrel end of the plungerforming a part of the toy;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view showing a modified manner of forming thehandgrip end of the plunger of the toy;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view showing a form of the toy which includes aspring fed magazine; I

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a modified form which the projectile cantake;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view through a typical projectile showing a weightincluded therein; and

FIG. 8 is a view like FIG. 5, which shows a gravity type magazineconnected with the barrel of the toy.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION by theplunger will stop shortof thedischarge end of the barrel and then the nextprojectilepushed throughthe barrel by the plunger will develop air pressure behind the firstmentioned projectile andproject it from the discharge end of the barrelat considerable velocity.

The projectiles are compressed withinthe barrel and, thus, sealinglyengage the inside of the barrel and in moving through the barrel have a.charge of static electricity imparted thereto so that .theprojectileswill cling to clothing, drapery and curtain material, and the like.

The barrel may be a simple tubular member and the projectiles put intothe one end of the barrel one at a time, or the barrel maybe providedwith a lateralmagazine from which theprojectiles move oneata time intothe barrel forprojection therethrough.

The projectiles may consist simply of extremely lightweightfoamedplastic material, such as polystyrene,or they may include internalweight elements so that they will stay in flight for a greater distanceafter being expelled from the discharge end of the barrel.

DETAILEDDESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings somewhatmore in detail, in FIG. 1, the toy illustrated comprises a barrel 10open at both ends and, preferably, having an enlarged end portion at 12and which may include a flared mouth portion 14. Portion 12 is adaptedto receive a projectile l6loosely, while the said projectile when movedrightwardly from enlarged portion 12 of the barrel along the inclinedregion 18 of the barrel, will be somewhat compressed in the main portionof the: barrel. A plunger is provided havinga handgrip 20 and anelongated part 22 for pushing the projectiles into the barrel andtherealong. As will be seen in FIG. 1, the projectile in enlargedportion 12 of the barrel will be pushed to the position occupied byprojectile 24 near the right end of the barrel in FIG. 1, and whichright end is the discharge end of the barrel.

When a projectile has been pushed to the position occupied by theprojectile at 24, the next projectile pushed into the left end of thebarrel by the plunger will entrap air in the barrel between theprojectiles and the pressure developed on the entrapped air as theplunger is pushed into the barrel will expel projectile 24 relativelyrapidly from the right end of the barrel.

The barrel of the toy is formed of plastic material and the projectilesare a foamed plastic material, such as foamed polystyrene, so that theprojectiles have imparted thereto a charge of static electricity as theymove through the barrel. The projectile discharged from the dischargeend of the barrel will thus cling to fabric such as clothing, draperymaterial, and the like, when it strikes the material. Thus, the toyaccording to the present invention can be used for games and for targetpractice, or purely for amusement, while no damage or injury can comeabout on account of the lightweight resilient projectiles.

A typical projectile 16 is shown in perspective in FIG. 2, wherein itwill be seen to comprise a cylindrical member which, as mentioned, fitsloosely in the enlarged portion 12 of the bore but fits snugly in thereduced diameter portion of the bore so as sealingly to engage theperiphery of the barrel.

The plunger, shown in FIG. 1, can be a simple rodlike member of, forexample, wood or plastic, or it can have a seal element 26 mounted onthe projectile end as shown in FIG. 3. With the arrangement of FIG. 3,the

plunger itself can entrap air in the barrel and cause a projectiledisposed therein to be expelled from the discharge end of the barrel.

The plunger in FIG. 1 has a handgrip portion larger than the diameter ofthe barrel and an elongated portion 22 freely fitting in the barrel andin FIG. 4, there is shown an arrangement wherein the entire length ofthe plunger is formed to a single diameter and the handgrip portion isseparated from the other portion by an undercut region 28 in which isplaced a ring 30 of rubber or plastic material.

FIG. shows a modification in which barrel 32 has an enlarged portion 34at the rear end which has a. slot 36 in the side with a magazine 38connected to the side of the barrel and adapted for receivingprojectiles 40 in stacked relation. A cap 42 on the bottom of themagazine contains a spring 44 which biases the projectiles toward thebarrel. Plunger 46 is operable for picking up a projectile disposed inthe enlarged end of the barrel and will push it along the barrel, whilepreventing further projectiles from moving from the magazine into thebarrel.

In the FIG. 5 modification, the magazine can also serve as a handle forthe barrel.

As will be seen in FIG. 6, projectiles 48 could be provided havingtapering ends 50 which will facilitate movement thereof from theenlarged end of the barrel into the smaller portion thereof.

FIG. 7 shows a projectile 52 having contained therein a weight 54 whichwill permit the projectile to carry farther when it is projected fromthe discharge end of the barrel.

In FIG. 8, barrel 56 has handle 58 thereon and a magazine 60 projectingupwardly from the top of the enlarged portion 62 of the barrel andadapted for receiving projectiles 64 in stacked relation. The FIG. 8modification is the same as the FIG. 5 modification, except that theprojectiles feed into the enlarged portion of the barrel by gravityrather than being spring urged therein.

Reference has been made to the fact that the plugs or projectiles willcling to clothing and drapery material and the like, but it will beunderstood that the projectiles will cling to substantially any drynon-conductive surface, including the human body.

Modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a projectile type toy: a tubular barrel formed of unfoamed plasticmaterial and substantially uniform in diameter from end to end,substantially cylindrical resilient projectile means formed of foamedplastic material and slightly larger in diameter than said barre] so asclosely and sealingly to fit in said barrel, an enlarged region formedat one end of said barrel coaxially with said barrel and adapted looselyto receive a said projectile means therein, an inwardly tapering regionconnecting said enlarged region with said barrel, said barrel and saidprojectile means being formed of materials which will coact to impart acharge of static electricity to said projectile means in response tomovement of the projectile means along said barrel, and rod-like plungermeans of electrical insulating material smaller in diameter than saidbarrel operable for moving a said projectile means from said enlargedregion into said barrel and then along said barrel from said one endthereof toward the said other end thereof, said plunger means and barrelincluding the cooperating element of a stop means to arrest the plungerbefore it runs completely through the barrel whereby a projectile meanspushed along the barrel by the plunger means will stop short of saidother end of the barrel and will be expelled from the barrel by the airpressure developed between it and the next projectile means pushed alongthe barrel by said plunger means, with the projectile means, whenexpelled from the barrel, carrying with it a charge of staticelectricity imparted to it by movement thereof along the barrel.

2. A projectile type toy according to claim 1 in which said projectilemeans comprises a plurality of like projectiles, a magazine near saidone end of the barrel extending laterally from said enlarged region,said magazine being adapted to receive a plurality of said projectilesin stacked relation, said magazine supplying the projectiles singly tosaid enlarged region.

1. In a projectile type toy: a tubular barrel formed of unfoamed plasticmaterial and substantially uniform in diameter from end to end,substantially cylindrical resilient projectile means formed of foamedplastic material and slightly larger in diameter than said barrel so asclosely and sealingly to fit in said barrel, an enlarged region formedat one end of said barrel coaxially with said barrel and adapted looselyto receive a said projectile means therein, an inwardly tapering regionconnecting said enlarged region with said barrel, said barrel and saidprojectile means being formed of materials which will coact to impart acharge of static electricity to said projectile means in response tomovement of the projectile means along said barrel, and rod-like plungermeans of electrical insulating material smaller in diameter than saidbarrel operable for moving a said projectile means from said enlargedregion into said barrel and then along said barrel from said one endthereof toward the said other end thereof, said plunger means and barrelincluding the cooperating element of a stop means to arrest the plungerbefore it runs completely through the barrel whereby a projectile meanspushed along the barrel by the plunger means will stop short of saidother end of the barrel and will be expelled from the barrel by the airpressure developed between it and the next projectile means pushed alongthe barrel by said plunger means, with the projectile means, whenexpelled from the barrel, carrying with it a charge of staticelectricity imparted to it by movement thereof along the barrel.
 2. Aprojectile type toy according to claim 1 in which said projectile meanscomprises a plurality of like projectiles, a magazine near said one endof the barrel extending laterally from said enlarged region, saidmagazine bEing adapted to receive a plurality of said projectiles instacked relation, said magazine supplying the projectiles singly to saidenlarged region.